Match report: Impact loses 1-0 to Bologna FC in friendly

BOLOGNA, Italy – The Montreal Impact fell 1-0 to Bologna FC of Italy’s Serie A on Thursday, at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara in Bologna, in its first game of its postseason training tour.

Bologna got the game winner in the 24th minute when forward Daniele Paponi converted a cross with a one-timer. Midfielder Marti Riverola played the ball through the air from the right flank, where Paponi right-footed it past goalkeeper Troy Perkins.

Paponi’s goal was the only one to get past the Impact keeper, who came up with three key saves in the match. The first came in the 5th minute when the ball was chipped over the defence from the left corner of the box to Cristian Pasquato, but his header from the far post, short side was grabbed by Perkins. Ten minutes later, Perkins made another stop on Pasquato, diving to his right, after the midfielder hammered one from just outside the box. Then in the 66th minute Perkins tipped one away from midfielder Kone Panagiotis that was going top corner.

The Impact’s two best scoring chances came in the second half. Designated Player Marco Di Vaio, playing in his first game against his former team since joining MLS, played a free-kick from 30 yards out down the right flank in the 50th minute that just curled away from defender Alessandro Nesta as he jumped for a header.

With good pressure in the last 15 minutes of the game, the Impact came close to equalizing in the 77th minute. Midfielder Calum Mallace played a one-timed deflection from centre field down the right flank that found a streaking Sanna Nyassi. After dribbling for a few yards, Nyassi cut towards goal, but his low, angled shot was stopped by the charging keeper, Gianluca Curci.

Next game

The club will face off against ACF Fiorentina on November 15 at 1pm (ET) at Stadio Artemio Franchi. The team will also take part in a weekly training schedule, as well as a third matchup versus Fiorentina’s primavera (reserve) team. Time and date to be determined.